Rory Best to lead Ireland against Scotland

New skipper: Rory Best runs in a try against Wales in Ireland's opening Six Nations game

Ulster hooker Rory Best will captain Ireland in their penultimate RBS 6 Nations fixture against Scotland in Dublin on Saturday.

Paul O’Connell was ruled out for the remainder of the championship after picking up a knee injury against France on Sunday so Best will lead Ireland for a third time. Best, whose brother Simon also captained Ireland, has a 100% winning record as captain having worn the armband against Canada and the USA in 2009.

“It’s a great honour to be asked to captain the side. It’s something you dream of doing,” Best said. “It’s very unfortunate that Paul’s out but I’m honoured to do the job.

“We know we’ll have to be on the money against Scotland. It will be a massive challenge for our defence.”

Donnacha Ryan replaces O’Connell in the second row and will start his first championship game while Eoin Reddan is promoted from the replacements’ bench to fill the No 9 shirt with Conor Murray also ruled out because of injury.